Blog Tour Review – The Jade Bones by Lani Forbes

Synopsis

Cast into the underworld after an act of shattering betrayal, Mayana and Ahkin must overcome unimaginable odds if they are to return home and reclaim the throne of the Chicome. A river of blood and demons disguised as children are only two of the challenges standing in their way. Fortunately, they are not unequipped. Mayana’s royal blood controls the power of water, and Prince Ahkin wields the power of the sun itself. Ometeotl, the Mother goddess, provides them with other gifts—and an ominous warning that one of them may not survive. But can the goddess be trusted?

Back in the lands above, Mayana’s best friend, Yemania, has survived the empress selection ritual—but her next challenge may be more than she can bear. The new empress of the Chicome Empire demands she become High Healer. Yemania has no interest in serving in the palace; she wants to use her healing ability to help the common people. More than that, her heart is no longer her own. She has met an enchanting stranger—Ochix, one of the feared Miquitz people who are ancient enemies of the Chicome.

As Mayana and Ahkin move ever closer to confronting the lords of the dead, Yemania and Ochix must hide their forbidden romance or face the wrath of both their empires. Meanwhile, the new empress has made a dangerous alliance that might destroy everything they hold dear.

Four young people risk their lives to save the world from a looming apocalypse in this captivating sequel to The Seventh Sun. Based on ancient Mesoamerican legends and mythology, The Jade Bones is a compelling and romantic adventure that builds to a heart-stopping climax.

Review

Warning

Spoiler if you have not read The Seventh Sun.

I loved the first book and this sequel is even better, it features Mayana and Ahkin in the Underworld, they have to climb all seven levels and go through all the trials while staying alive to be able to return to the world of the living. They will have to learn to know and trust each other, something that is not easy for either of them. Mayana will have to confide her thoughts on her faith in the Gods and Ahkin will have to trust Mayana to help her. I really liked the duality of these two characters, they are different but complement each other so much.

On the side of the living we find Metzi who has become Empress and Coatl who is persuaded to become her husband. There is also Yemania who is forced to stay with Metzi as her caretaker. The character that we follow the most and to whom we are really attached is Yemania. I already liked her in the first book, but now she becomes more important in the story. I find her very touching, she is an absolutely charming young girl who will succeed in questioning her convictions thanks to Ochix. I love him very much, you will get to know him and you will love him. He is funny and protective and adorable.

Once again I loved immersing myself in this mythology and I can’t wait to read the last volume of the trilogy. Especially with an ending like this one.

The Jade Bones is told from three different points of view, that of Mayana, that of Ahkin and that of Yemania. My little finger told me that in the last volume we would also have the point of view of Ochix 😊

Quick word: An even more exciting and awesome sequel. If you haven’t started this series go for it!!!

Chronique

Attention spoiler si vous n’avez pas lu The Seventh Sun.

J’avais adoré le premier livre et cette suite est encore meilleure, on y retrouver Mayana et Ahkin dans le Monde Souterrain, ils doivent remonter les sept niveaux et traverser toutes les épreuves en restant en vie pour pouvoir retourner dans le monde des vivants. Ils vont devoir apprendre à se connaitre et à se faire confiance, une chose qui n’est facile ni pour l’un ni pour l’autre. Mayana va devoir confier ses pensées sur sa foi envers les Dieux et Ahkin devra faire confiance à Mayana pour l’aider. J’ai beaucoup aimé la dualité de ces deux personnages, ils sont différent mais se complète tellement.

Du côté des vivants on retrouve Metzi qui est devenue Impératrice et Coatl qui est persuadé de devenir son mari. Il y a aussi Yemania qui est forcée de rester auprès de Metzi en tant que soigneuse. Le personnage que l’on suit le plus et auquel on s’attache réellement c’est Yemania. Je l’avais déjà bien aimé dans le premier livre mais là elle prend de l’importance dans l’histoire. Je la trouve très touchante, c’est une jeune fille absolument charmante qui va réussir à remettre en doute ses convictions grâce à Ochix. A lui je l’aime beaucoup, vous allez faire sa connaissance et vous allez forcément l’aimer. Il est drôle et protecteur et adorable.

Encore une fois j’ai adoré me plonger dans cette mythologie et j’ai hâte de lire le dernier tome de la trilogie. Surtout avec une fin comme celle-ci.

The Jade Bones est raconté de trois points de vue différents, celui de Mayana, celui de Ahkin et celui de Yemania. Mon petit doigt m’a dit que dans le dernier tome nous aurions aussi le point de vue d’Ochix 😊

En bref : Une suite encore plus palpitante et géniale. Si vous n’avez pas commencer cette série foncez !!!

About the author

Lani Forbes is the daughter of a librarian and an ex-drug smuggling surfer (which explains her passionate love of the ocean and books). A former teacher turned trauma counselor, her passion is showing readers the transformative and encouraging power of story on the human experience. A California native whose parents live in Mexico, Lani now resides in the Pacific Northwest where she stubbornly wears flip flops no matter how cold it gets. She is a proud nerd, Gryffindor, and member of Romance Writers of America and the Society for Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.